Step 1
With a sharp knife, remove the ends of the limes. Cut two of the limes into eighths and place into a medium bowl. Do not peel. With a microplane or grater, zest the remaining three limes into the bowl of limes. Peel or cut away and discard the rinds/pith of the zested limes. Cut the pithless limes into eighths and add to the bowl.
Step 2
Add the Redpath® Golden Yellow Sugar into the bowl and toss to coat all pieces thoroughly. Allow the lime pieces to macerate, stirring approximately every 15 minutes; 45 minutes or up to 3 hours (see Chef’s Tips).
Step 3
Transfer the macerated limes, sugar, and any juices released into a blender. Add 2 cups (500 ml) of the cold water. Use the pulse button and process until coarsely chopped; about 5 pulses. Do not continuously blend or process too finely as the limeade will become bitter.
Step 4
Place a sieve lined with cheesecloth over a large measuring cup or bowl. Pour the contents into the sieve and press down onto the pieces to release as much liquid as possible from the limes (see Chef’s Tips).
Step 5
Place the liquid, the remaining 2 cups of cold water, ice, and sweetened condensed milk into the blender. Process until the ice is finely crushed and limeade is frothy.
Step 6
Pour into chilled glasses (see Chef’s Tips), garnish with a slice of lime and/or zest, if desired. Serve immediately.
*If macerating limes longer than 45 minutes, cover the bowl to prevent contamination from insects and dust. Do not macerate for longer than 3 hours as the bitterness from the piths of the unpeeled limes will start to release into the juice.
*Use the processed limes to make the citrus marmalade from the recipe “Simple Marmalade & Whipped Cream Sponge Cakes”
*Chill the glasses in the freezer or fridge before adding the Limonada Suíça. This slows down the melting of the crushed ice and keeps the drink from getting warm too quickly.
*Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar can be substituted for the Redpath® Golden Yellow Sugar. Note that the resulting drink may have more of a caramel-flavoured undertone and be darker in colour than the original.